What Not To Mix With Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic acid is a well-known skincare component that has exfoliating and skin-renewing qualities.

However, as with many effective skincare chemicals, it can have a detrimental interaction with other treatments if taken concurrently.

In this article, we will look at what you should avoid mixing with glycolic acid in order to keep your skin healthy and attractive.

What Not To Mix With Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic acid is a strong exfoliator that is often used in skincare to improve skin texture and eliminate aging symptoms. To avoid skin irritation or bad reactions, it should not be used with certain components:

1. Retinoids (Retinol)

Glycolic acid and retinoids both enhance skin cell turnover and can exacerbate skin sensitivity. They can cause extreme dryness, redness, and irritation when used combined, especially in high quantities. To allow your skin to acclimate and limit the risk of irritation, apply them on alternate days.

2. Other Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Using glycolic acid in conjunction with other AHAs, such as lactic acid or citric acid can be too harsh on the skin. Using numerous AHAs at the same time increases the risk of over-exfoliation, which can result in redness and peeling. In your skincare routine, use only one AHA at a time.

3. Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is an efficient acne therapy, however when combined with glycolic acid, it can deactivate it. Both substances’ potency is reduced as a result. To avoid this, use them at different times of the day or on different days if your dermatologist has advised it.

4. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

While both glycolic acid and vitamin C have skin benefits, applying both at the same time may be too harsh for some people, particularly those with sensitive skin. To avoid irritation, apply them at separate times of the day, such as glycolic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning.

5. Physical Exfoliants

Glycolic acid used with abrasive scrubs, washing brushes, or other physical exfoliants can be too harsh on the skin. Excessive exfoliation can cause redness, increased sensitivity, and a weakened skin barrier. Physical exfoliants should not be used on the same day as glycolic acid.

6. Sun Exposure

Glycolic acid might make the skin more sensitive to UV rays. Using glycolic acid treatments without sufficient sun protection during the day can increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage. When introducing glycolic acid into your routine, always apply sunscreen and restrict your sun exposure.

What Should You Layer With Glycolic Acid?

It is feasible to combine it with other active components to enhance its effects on the skin. However, be cautious when layering or combining glycolic acid with some active substances.

Indeed, a negative association might result in side effects such as itching, skin irritation, redness, and so on. When in doubt about what to match with glycolic acid, try these combinations:

Combining glycolic acid with azelaic acid is especially beneficial for treating acne and uneven skin tone. Combining these two active substances has been demonstrated in studies to help even out your skin tone (lower the appearance of pigmentation patches) and treat pimples.

For example, to treat blemishes, apply glycolic acid exfoliating lotion followed by azelaic acid mattifying serum. Because of its exfoliating effects, glycolic acid improves azelaic acid absorption.

Because of their various activities, combining retinol with glycolic acid is an excellent option if your skin tolerates it well. According to one study, combining glycolic acid and retinol was efficient in healing acne and dark acne scars. However, if you have sensitive skin, this combination is not suggested because it can cause dry skin.

Alternatively, an excellent option to incorporate retinol into your beauty routine alongside glycolic acid is to alternate them every other night: one night with retinol, the next night with a leave-on exfoliant followed by a moisturizer.

Glycolic Acid Benefits For Skin

• It can slough away dead skin cells, which can cause the skin to seem dry, dull, and lifeless over time.
• Clears and unclogs pores of dirt, germs, and debris that can cause breakouts and spots.
• Helps to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a more youthful appearance.
• It can remove any uneven roughness from the skin’s surface, resulting in a smoother finish.
• Removes any barriers on the skin’s surface, allowing other products and substances to enter into the skin’s deep layers.
• Reduces the visibility of pigmentation and dark patches.

These are the major benefits of glycolic acid and what you can expect to see when using it in your daily skincare routine. It is known as one of the more strong AHAs and can give the quickest level of effects.

Glycolic acid is an excellent skincare ingredient with numerous benefits for your skin, but it must be used with caution. To guarantee a safe and successful skincare routine, avoid combining it with particular products and follow the prescribed guidelines. You will achieve the beautiful, healthy skin that glycolic acid is known for.

Thanks for reading. I hope you find it helpful.